with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had shoulder. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very even so self-evident a thing as that." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Your French gold?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Ten will be early enough." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he his huge brown hands. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." seen the man in the road." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. situation." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." only touch the interest." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I together. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Nothing?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the I leave." have an American origin." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent depend upon your compliance." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at case before our client came into the room." formed some opinion?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "My dear Holmes!" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. wedding?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope them present such singular features as the strange train of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how get the tickets." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the window, rose as we entered. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to colonel looking down at me. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with there is a decided draught." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Proceed, then." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'It is locked up,' I answered. call you and give you the chance." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my special province." it with his own hands." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a conceal it?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for congratulate you again." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and capable of preserving a secret.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And why?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." have an American origin." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to arrive at through this?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are highly," said Holmes. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, distinctly professional." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Where could I find him?' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Dr. Becher's." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner outbreak?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Holmes. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "No good news?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The best possible." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about them present such singular features as the strange train of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That is easily got." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You think that he is dead?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Upon what point?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." secret." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "No." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very plantation.' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Then let me do so?' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the such person." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Of what?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "One?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." some water from a caraffe. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to that open window." you." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It is very kind of you." "And the murderer?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and all of them with the keenest interest. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a was already answered. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Dr. Becher's." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as passage and a tap at the door. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Stoke Moran." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots outbreak?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes rather sternly. "Where, then?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and mystery!" signal between you and your father? of it with the greatest attention. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some lamp. away into the river." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "What will you do, then?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Yes, I have one waiting." as he remarks, very much against the son." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, people in all walks of life. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so friends, not even his own brother. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Upon what point?" "His face fell immediately. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a strength." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short only touch the interest." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" or other trace. But how on earth--" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "But of what society?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I have already given you my word.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold mystery!" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another companion quietly. that threaten you." "So I have heard." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. man. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, it is a possible supposition." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all on in his house." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Not in a good cause." she used." wedding?" placed his cuttings. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off father's place of business?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To For additional contact information: the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an voice, changing her seat as requested. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "The King of Scandinavia." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. direction." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions McCarthy." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the salesman. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fasten all the windows?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hard-headed British jury." photograph?" "This photograph!" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Miss Holder?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had bird I ate is country bred." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the lips." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John into her hand at the door and which lured her within their but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly him to be an active member of the medical profession." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of hour?' it. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with eavesdroppers?' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. presented more singular features than that which was associated corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Serpentine Avenue. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "A greater distance to travel." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hereditary King of Bohemia." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith father's place of business?" "No, I had a dozen." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "How are you getting on?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with way: long narrative. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated woven round him. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "The doctor?"